Vodafone, Zurich, and Natwest recognised as top global employers for LGBT inclusion

Vodafone (pictured), Zurich, and Natwest have been named among the top global employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) equality and inclusion by LGBT equality charity Stonewall.

The list, which is compiled from submissions to Stonewall's benchmarking tool, the Global Workplace Equality Index, examines how businesses globally create an inclusive workplace culture for all LGBT employees working in multinational organisations. The organisations that have been included on this list have all reached exceptional standards in improving LGBT equality across the business.

Each employer provides supporting evidence on how it deals with nine areas of employment policy and structure. These are policies and benefits, training, engagement, leadership, monitoring, procurement, community engagement and understanding local context, global mobility, and additional in-country activity. In addition to the index, Stonewall every year provides resources on how employers can better understand LGBT inclusion in their business.

The top 17 employers for LGBT inclusion are:

  1. Accenture
  2. Allen and Overy
  3. Baker McKenzie
  4. BP
  5. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
  6. Dentons
  7. Fidelity International
  8. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
  9. GSK
  10. Herbert Smith Freehills
  11. Hogan Lovells
  12. HSBC
  13. NatWest
  14. Pinsent Masons
  15. Simmons and Simmons
  16. Vodafone
  17. Zurich
Nancy Kelley, chief executive at Stonewall, said: "The progress we have made towards LGBT equality has never felt more fragile, so it is inspiring to see the work our top global employers are doing to protect and support their LGBT staff in some extremely difficult contexts. We know that getting this right is not easy, but it is vital, especially because not all parts of the world are progressing at the same pace.

"While some countries moved forward this year, like Gabon, who decriminalised same-sex relationships, others, like Poland and Hungary, have rowed back the rights of LGBT people. All of this has been happening while we are still living through a global pandemic that’s hitting some LGBT people harder than others. That is why it is crucial for businesses like our top global employers to step up and make sure their LGBT staff and customers are looked after.

"Multinational businesses have a powerful part to play in driving equality and progress in society. With their help, every lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans person can be accepted without exception, wherever they are in the world."

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